Media

Realscreen West Conference 2013 – Family shows is where it’s at!

Posted on July 26th, 2013.

Last month, Bevs and I attended the Realscreen West conference in Santa Monica, CA to gather new insight to the future of the tv biz, plus have the opportunity to meet top television executives in a small intimate environment. Since I was new to this whole entertainment conference thing I had no idea what to expect, but knew to keep an open mind and gather as much information as I could.

The two-day event at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel was full of interesting and informative 30-minute sessions led by Los Angeles based television entertainment execs. After Bevs and I saw the lengthy conference agenda we gathered a list of people we wanted to meet and learn from including: David Eilenberg, SVP of Unscripted Development at TBS and TNT; Deirdre Gurney, Owner of Gurney Productions; Jonathan Murray, Chairman of Bunim/Murray Productions; Endyia Kinney-Sterns, Executive Director, Programming & Development at OWN; Stephanie Drachkovitch, Co-Owner of 44 Blue Productions; and Damla Dogan, SVP, Original Programming and Series Development at E!.

The one take away message that was consistent in each session was that the networks are looking to create and buy family focused shows showcasing authentic and BIG characters. Hello world, meet Si Robertson. Thanks to the success of my favorite show, “Duck Dynasty,” the entire television world is changing and in my opinion for the better. In case you have been living under a rock for the past year, A&E’s “Duck Dynasty“ was the network’s #1 telecast ever with a season finale bringing in 6.5 million viewers, and beat the networks records among most watched adults 18-49, 25-54 and 18-34 demos. The season finale also ranked A&E as the top cable and broadcast network for that night beating “American Idol” in viewers. The Robertson’s even took over the social media world gaining the most page and video views the network has ever had on its website.

Who would have thought these hilarious, country, Jesus loving, southern, camo wearing, kind-hearted people would take over Hollywood?! And take over a television conference? I mean, all of the networks are enthralled with this family and are looking for more families to create shows around just like the Robertsons. So, insert the Adams’ family. Snap snap. Hence why we were told by a CBS exec at the conference, “That mother and daughter duo is television gold.”

Timing really is everything. Just sayin’. Exciting things are in the works for this family from Texas. Stay tuned…

Television Conference Tip #1:

If you want to meet an important tv executive in Los Angeles, just have breakfast at your hotel. And look REALLY glamorous, speak with a southern accent and smile. That combo is sure to win you a business card. Wink.

Oh, and if they’re from England, make sure you mimic their accent. Bevs does it and it always works for her.

Tip #2:

If you want to make yourself memorable at the conference, just raise your hand during the talk and introduce yourself and your daughter. Then, congratulate the network on its success and thank them for airing funny shows like, “The Soup.” Trust me. People will laugh and everyone in the room will never forget who you are! Do it. I’m telling you the truth. It works. The E! talk attendees will never forget who Beverly Adams is.

Friends, those are your 2 free tips to success!

Ashley Stillwell and Beverly Adams

Written By: Ashley Stillwell, VP/Director of Marketing

One Response to “Realscreen West Conference 2013 – Family shows is where it’s at!”

They have been Texas Gold since I met them!! The special gold is what’s inside these gals!! They never TARNISH….